Hallowed Dust

Let all revere the sacred dust

Of steadfast soldiers true

Who bore the nation's flag of trust

And died for me and you.

In valiant combat perished,

Sent home;

Entombed apart,

Alive they struggled side by side,

Let not death divide their hearts.

We gather them,

Each one and all

From Private to the Chief;

Above their tomb let fresh tears fall-

Shed venerated grief.

From scattered states assembled here

So dear their lifeless clay,

Their cause and country were the same,

They perished young in past foray...

Yet now assemble corpses strewn

Across the battle plains;

A name on granite gravestone etched,

We shoulder each one slain.

And so the dead shall meet the dead

While grieving heirs now weep;

Dear hearts that once together bled,

Now forever sleep.

© 2003 Corrine Schlessel